The future Rumsey pool needs a second story.

Rumsey Aquatic Center is a beloved community asset in the heart of Capitol Hill. It's also one of the most heavily used Department of Parks and Recreation facilities in the District, and it's sorely in need of modernization.

In last year's city budget, I secured an additional $15 million to add a second floor in the $36 million modernization project. While respecting that Rumsey's core function must remain an aquatic center, the second floor is a major community priority, adding space for seniors and other programming while opening up more space on the ground floor level to deliver the community's top priority of more water for aquatic uses. A second floor is critical to ensure that there will be more pool space to protect and expand what Rumsey offers – from water aerobics, to lap swimming, to swim teams, and more.

However, when DPR unveiled its initial design concepts to the community in March, none of the three proposed designs included a second floor. That's a major problem, and it has to change.

In response to community pushback against a limited vision for this once-in-a-generation project, DPR will soon be coming back to the community with revised designs.

I'm sending a letter to DPR urging them to ensure the funded second floor is reflected in those designs, and we need to show the community's strong support. If you also feel that the future of this site should include the second floor, please sign on to my letter.